April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited July 2015

    Such great news, Georgie!! YAY!!!

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited July 2015

    why do we get nosebleeds and racing hearts with chemo!?!?! UGH.

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited July 2015

    Yeah Marcy!!! That's fantastic news! Sending positive thoughts for the surgery and recovery to go without a hitch.

    One more down to all my chemosabes - Karen, Alley, Cherie, Tina, did I miss anyone? Sorry if I did, wishing for minimal side effects for us all.

    My WBC was 9, so NP was on the fence about Neulasta. I said I didn't want to do it. She said she thought MO would probably want it, but I said it made me feel like crap, and I rather be extra safe/aware the second week than take it. I have never gotten a fever (KOW), I've never had any illness issues. Even when I had WBC of 3, I didn't feel any worse than I did today, so I don't want to risk it.

    So, I had to drive from that hospital to the new infusion center - traffic, 30 minutes late due to port problems, etc. They ended up re-accessing the port - the TPV didn't work on the original port. So, then the nurse asks me what they said about Neulasta, and I told her. She then spent 20 minutes trying to convince me that I should do it because of having my port out 18 days later. I wanted to tell her that I know a person that got her port out 2 days after last treatment (Jen!), so if they are so worried about infection, why would they do that? But, I didn't. I just told her I'd think about it. But, unless MO calls and tells me to do it AND gives me a MM card (which she won't), then I'm not doing it.

    Here's a picture of my sister and I in the new infusion center:

    image

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited July 2015

    Lynne nice photo!!! Sister support so great!

    Alibeths hope the nosebleeds and racing heart get better. I get that too. Stinks.

    Hoping everyone who went this week is hanging in there and know I'm praying for you all.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    Lynne, Congrats on finishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yahoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If MO is concerned, tell him to have you in a week from now to check counts. If they plummet, they can give you neupogen. It's a good compromise. I love the picture. You look radiant!

    Alibeths, Ack! I hope they clear soon. I have the annoying nosebleeds too, but no racing heart. Is MO aware of the racing heart?

    Georgie, Great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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  • gingeel
    gingeel Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2015

    So happy for you Georgie! Fantastic news.


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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited July 2015

    Love the picture Lynne, what a gorgeous smile!! Happy, happy, happy!!

    I haven't had nosebleeds, but my nose gets dry and a little sore. I've been using a saline sinus rinse which helps. I have the racing heart sometimes.....hate that!

    So far I feel really good besides the wired steroid feeling and not much sleep. lol I just got back from a walk.


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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited July 2015

    Yay awesome news Georgie! And yea why the racing hearts with chemo?! Seriously as if all the other se aren't enough. I find that the day after chemo I'm winded.

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  • BAT
    BAT Member Posts: 24
    edited July 2015

    Just a quick update. My beautiful wife finished chemo on 23 Jul. The monthly meeting, yesterday, with her BS provided some very positive feedback. After he gave he a manual exam he then stated..."I guess your question to me is lumpectomy or mastectomy." A lumpectomy, initially, was never a consideration as far as I can remember. It is awesome to see that she has options and that chemo has kicked her cancer in its ass.

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited July 2015

    BAT - Excellent news. Thanks for the update!!!

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited July 2015

    Yeah BAT!

    Karen, good advice! No calls from MO yet, so crossing fingers I won't have to deal with it.

    No nosebleeds for me (kow) - but I get the dripping, running nose. It usually starts like clockwork on day 8 after chemo - but also with any exertion.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    BAT, Congrats to your wife! Fabulous news!

    Lynne, That would be awesome if you could skip it!

    KSusan, Happy Birthday!!! I hope it's a fabulous day!


    I know we have some other birthdays this week. Remind me ladies...apologize if I've missed them. My brain seems to be on vacation some days.

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited July 2015

    GORGEOUS LYNN!!!!!!

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  • Positive_spirit
    Positive_spirit Member Posts: 218
    edited July 2015

    CONGRATULATIONS LYNNE!!! YEAH!!! And you and your sister look spectacular.

    Georgie - really wonderful news. Yeah.

    Bat - sending both of you good wishes.

    So Hi everyone...I have been busy. Trip to psychiatrist to talk about tamoxifen, depression, mood swings, etc. Worth it and I swear I felt much better after that appointment. Good birthday weekend with just a few friends. One of my friends had to let me know that she has been keeping a distance from me and other friends - her own issues.

    * Attended 2 support groups (good)

    * went to 2 pilates sessions for mastectomy folks (good - mobility needs improvement)

    * Went to see GI doc and rescheduled colonoscopy (can't deal with one more exam right now)/talked to oncologist nurse pract and psychiatrist

    * went to acupuncture (5th visit and free from Cancer Connection nonprofit)

    * went to work and met with student.

    Hmmm....done a lot actually. Also cried in the bathroom about this sucky cancer and all the SE and emotional chaos it brings. My mood and quality of life is better right now, and I will begin antidepressants today and then restart tamoxifen in a few weeks.

    I think I just needed to list everything. Congrats to everyone who finished this week!!!! And sending virtual support to those still working through chemo...and those on rads. HUGS

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited July 2015

    positive spirit way to go! You are doing a lot! So hard to know how much of the emotions are due to meds and how much due to the diagnosis and trying to absorb the changes in our lives.

    I had a great day yesterday yoga for cancer patients in treatment and a half hour meditation. Felt fantastic after. Today feel overwhelmed that grocery shopping had me out of breath. The ups and downs. Doing labs now and waiting to see MO.


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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Positive- excellent! And an amazing quantity and quality of things accomplished.

    Please double check your anti-depressant against Tamoxifen. Some render the Tamox ineffective.

    The one I know for SURE you should NOT take with Tamoxifen in Wellbutrin. I've heard it said that there are others that can be contra-indicated. Just check it out to be sure.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Psych Drugs that interact unfavorably with Tamoxifen

    Positive, found the above link with a substantial list. I just saw a drug I am taking on this list.

    Where is our safety net

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited July 2015

    Anyone aware if there are negative interactions for aramatese inhibitors???

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  • Positive_spirit
    Positive_spirit Member Posts: 218
    edited July 2015

    yes, Jackie - talked about it with my psychiatrist who is assigned only to oncology. We looked at 2 anti depressants that would work well with tamoxifen. Surprisingly, the psychiatrist said tamoxifen suppresses estrogen production....I understand that it blocks my tissues from using estrogen, while ovarian suppression drugs stop the ovaries from producing estrogen although estrogen is produced elsewhere in the body. Glad for this discussion board safety net.

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited July 2015

    Just popping in to say hello. Today was my last day of radiation. I am really red and very itchy. The doctor said it could get worse before it gets better, but it should be healed in about two weeks. That's good because I don't want to accidentally forget and scratch my boob in front of my 5th graders. I went into my new classroom and put it back together. One of my parents that finished treatment for breast cancer two years ago, came in. She is so creative and basically put up all my bulletin boards in less than three hours. She is so creative! I am lucky to have great parents that are able to help. It will good to get back in the swing of things and teach,

    Congrats to Lynn

    Happy B day- KSusan

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  • gingeel
    gingeel Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2015

    Argh! I'm so pissed. I wrote this whole huge post, and deleted it accidentally!

    Basically was saying that I'm happy for you Positive that things are looking on the up and up for you. You sound like your feeling pretty good about things.

    Rocker, that's really awesome that parents are helping you out.

    Lynne, big smiles! Glad your done.


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    positive spirit, good for you for being so proactive about things!!!!! What a schedule!

    Renee, that yoga class sounds fun. I need to take one sometime, but I need to be in the back where no one can see me, I am a total klutz and uncoordinated!!!!

    Katy, Effexor, I believe is one of the only antidepressant drugs that can be taken with Tamoxifen. Several of my Sept 13 gang have had good luck on it.

    Sue, I am not sure about drugs that interact with AIs.

    Rocker wife, so glad your classroom is taking shape. How nice it will be to have more of a sense of normalcy return

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  • pegsurri
    pegsurri Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2015

    KBeee and others who have had double mastectomies.... I have three more taxol treatments left and will be having a double mastectomy in September. Are there any pointers or helpful tips you could give me? Also, this is right in the middle of high school football season so I was curious how long you're confined to your house. I'm one who goes to my kids stuff no matter what. I spent my "red devil" days at the baseball field and the taxol is so much easier on me which has bee a Blessing! This is a picture of me with one of my best friends who has been cancer free for 13 years. She has been by my side every step of the way but only had a lumpectomy so isn't familiar with mastectomies. Praying for every single one of you on this site...<3

    .... image

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    Pegsurri, Great picture. Here's a huge list of tips I had put together for a friend. I found my recovery to be easy, but I do bounce back easily from things.

    I knew going into surgery that I would not be able to use my arm muscles to get me out of the recliner (which is where they want you to sleep for a while) so I made sure I had strong abdominal muscles going in. That helped a ton!!!!!!!!! Anytiem in the weeks leading up to surgery I needed to get out of the recliner, I made sure to do so without using my arms or "pushing off". I just scooted up and used my legs...to "practice" what I would do after surgery.

    Before surgery, make sure all beds have clean sheets and that the house is vacuumed. Those are 2 jobs that will be tricky for a bit.

    Specific tips for surgery:

    If there are things you use often at home that are on high shelves, move them lower for a few weeks. Reaching up is not allowed for a few weeks.

    You will want some tops and PJs that you can either button up the front or just stand and pull up. Yep…I went to Kohls and tried things on right in the aisle…if I could easily pull the shirts on over my clothes, I knew I could do it after surgery with no clothes. I am sure I was a spectacle, but it worked. As for the bras, I wore the super stretchy, cheap Walmart ones because I could pull them on easily and then used 2 or 3 of the padding things to make it look like I had a little chest. I used less and less of these as I had fills.

    Drains: Blaaaaaah. Mostly, I wore inside out sweatshirt jackets (hoodies) and tucked them in the pockets. It was like revisiting the 1980s in the Flashdance era! That was the easiest for me. Even in August, I kept the AC low enough to be able to wear them like that. I do have a hoodie that I cut the sleeves off of so I could attend an outdoor event. I went to work, the store, a triathlon (watched) with thousands of people there. No one knew I was hauling around drains in my pockets.

    Stock up on 4X4s and gentle tape. They will give you some gauze pads, but it was not enough. The tape, which never gave me rashes before, gave me rashes which seems to be pretty common then, so find the gentlest one you can.

    Pain meds: The first 2 days I set my phone alarm to go off anytime I was due for pain meds and antibiotics to stay on top of them. I did not need the narcotic meds after that; just Advil. I was lucky though; most people need then more. I just lived in my recliner and kept ice applied very often. Pain meds can cause constipation. I ate oatmeal, and a ton of fruit in the hospital and at home and it was not an issue. I think it would have been painful if it was. I think I did take stool softeners too.

    The surgery meds and pain meds can cause dry mouth. Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash both helped.


    I hope at least some of those are helpful!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited July 2015

    Rocker- big HUGE congrats for finishing radiation! And so nice you got your classroom put back together and got some great help from someone who "gets it"

    Pegsurri- I had a double and healing time can vary greatly. There are some lists in the surgery thread, but I've been participating in a thread of a member called Artista, who is alone, and asked for some help. It is an active thread and if you read through it you will learn everything you need to know but your doctors and nurses may forget tell you. Here is a link:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/...

    Best of luck to you. Feel free to PM me with any questions you ever have.

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  • pegsurri
    pegsurri Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2015

    KBeee, you're awesome and I loved the tips. Fortunately for me, I'm 5'9" and hoping that I will too bounce back quickly! When I was first diagnosed I read this thread all of the time but by the 3rd A (red devil) I couldn't even look at this site without feeling sick so I stepped away for a bit buy now I'm back and loved catching up with everyone's journey. Thanks again and you're such a Blessing to so many on here. I've tried to help several ladies at the treatment center with courage with different things because we're all in this together!! There is a definite bond with all of us!! <3

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  • pegsurri
    pegsurri Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2015

    Jackbirdie, thank you so much for this info! I will definitely read it right now! Blessings to you and thanks again.... <3

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited July 2015

    Rockerwife HOORAY on finishing radiation!

    Kbeee nice list that you put together and I agree with all. I did the same post surgery cheap stretchy Walmart bras with the pads. Only had a lumpectomy but you have to wear something even at night for support for awhile. Oh and that yoga class I would not have had the guts to try had I not heard super easy and for those of us unsteady in treatment. I'm the biggest clutz and amazed myself that I could actually do some of the poses.

    pegsurri love the photo! Nothing better than a friend there with you.

    Jackbirdie great link to ineraction med list with Tamoxifen.

    Positive spirit and SueH58 I'm also going to be taking tamoxifen. When I get to that I want to ask what the difference is between tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitor. Was just reading that the Aromatase inhibitor might be better than tamoxifen. Were either of you given a choice?

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    I had a double and pretty much spent three weeks inside--I wasn't cleared to drive or lift more than a few ounces.

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited July 2015

    Renee, tamoxifen is used for pre-menopausal women, whose estrogen comes from their ovaries. AIs are used for post-menopausal women.

    Special K had a great explanation a short while ago. Here's a clip from what she said:

    Aromatase inhibitors work by suppressing estrogen, but not estrogen that comes from your ovaries. Rather, the rationale behind using it for post-menopausal women is that you are no longer making estrogen in your ovaries and these drugs inhibit the enzyme aromatase which converts androgens from your adrenal glands into estrogen. So, taking an AI drug if you are premenopausal would negate the estrogen converted from androgens but would not suppress the estrogen made in the ovaries, and therefore offer no protection.

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